Marmoleum : photos, selection , laying instructions

Linoleum - one of the most popular materials for finishing the floor.His next of kin, Marmoleum has a similar manufacturing techniques and similar characteristics but markedly different in component composition.In this article you will find detailed information about how this coverage marmoleum, learn about its advantages and disadvantages, as well as installation methods.

What is marmoleum

Some manufacturers marmoleum positioned as an innovative material, meanwhile, it is not quite true.Marmoleum really appeared in the construction market is not so long ago, but in fact, it is a coating manufactured according to the old technology, using the latest equipment and a fully environmentally friendly raw materials.In appearance, the method of production and the many technical and operational characteristics marmoleum resembles linoleum, only in its component composition no synthetic components.This material is considered to be something in between linoleum and laminate flooring, as Marmoleum combines the best properties of the two floors.

As indicated previously, only the natural raw materials used in the manufacture of such material.As part of the Marmoleum contains the following components:

• resin of coniferous trees;
• wood flour;
• chalk;
• cork wood;
• linseed oil;
• coloring agents of natural origin.

Natural pigments are used in the production of Marmoleum, they have a very wide color palette.This material manufacturers can offer potential customers a very wide range of the goods.Various colors of the material allows to enter a floor covering in various interior styles.By the way, the production technology involves staining Marmoleum on all its thickness, because even years later, when the material is somewhat izotretsya, it does not lose its original color.

Marmoleum low price will not name, but its high quality and excellent performance characteristics to justify the cost.In addition, the high cost of coverage may be due and features of its manufacturing process, which, it must be said, takes a lot of time.Marmoleum production can be summarized in the form of the following stages:

1. Initially, all the components are mixed together, and then the mass is left to ripening.This process takes about seven days, the mixture should be maintained at a certain constant temperature.
2. When will be a week, a mass for the production of Marmoleum paint in the color you want by making the necessary pigments.Thereafter, the substance is compressed using special equipment.
3. resulting layer is divided into a certain bandwidth and jute is applied to the foundation.
4. future marmoleum then placed in an oven, where it matures for a further 14 days.
5. Almost ready marmoleum coated with a protective polymer layer.This layer will prevent the rapid attrition of the material and increase its longevity.Optionally, you can buy an all-natural Marmoleum, which is not a polymer film, but to take care of such a coating would have to regularly and thoroughly, rubbing it from time to time by special trains.

first company that released marmoleum the construction market, is an American company Forbo.Despite the fact that now the market can find a wide variety of product manufacturers, Forbo Marmoleum is still considered a high quality flooring that can last for decades.This material complies with all international quality standards, is considered environmentally friendly and durable.

popular line of products is the company Forbo Marmoleum Real.He was introduced to the market in the form of panels or boards created from cork and waterproof NDF.The upper protective layer material has a high wear resistance, and moisture repellent properties.This coating is not damaged even from the claws of animals and thin women heels.

Pros and cons of Marmoleum

Marmoleum has many positive characteristics that we would like to see more:

1. As mentioned above, all of the components that make up the Marmoleum are exclusively of natural origin.That is why the material is considered environmentally friendly, harmless to human health and the environment.
2. Marmoleum relates to hypoallergenic covers, besides, it differs also bactericidal properties.This coating can be used in the children's room, without fear for the baby's health.
3. Despite the fact that Marmoleum linoleum is more expensive than usual, it still will cost their owners is cheaper than laminate.
4. This material has excellent sound insulating properties, besides, it additionally insulates the floor.In the room where Fitted with marmoleum will be quiet and comfortable.
5. Such a coating does not fade on long-acting ultraviolet light, resistant to water, moisture and abrasion.Marmoleum is able to last for many years without losing its color and beautiful appearance.
6. Clean up this floor just enough dirt in it practically absorbed and even if you slap the floor with oil paint, it will be enough just wipe it with a cloth.
7. Marmoleum not electrified, besides, it is absolutely fireproof.
8. Marmoleum colors there are so many, so almost every consumer can choose the goods on the taste.At this time, Marmoleum manufacturers produce products in 100 different primary colors, and the number of colors reaches at least 2,000 variants.
9. This material can be used in all areas, including the kitchen.Marmoleum is resistant to temperature changes and humidity.When cleaning it is possible to use a variety of cleaning agents, because it does not take them into chemical reactions.

If you decide to buy Marmoleum, you should be familiar with this material defects:

1. Such coating is characterized some brittleness than are caused by particular storage and installation.Marmoleum to curl into a roll can be no more than 1 time, you will need to fold it in such a way that the base plate is on the outside.When installing Marmoleum fragments may break at the edges, so to carry out the process should be as gently as possible.
2. marmoleum over time may solidify, leading to a risk of formation of cracks in the floor covering.
3. material has a sufficiently high weight and good ductility.These qualities can be regarded as virtues, if the coating is used for finishing the floor.But for walls marmoleum will not work, because it will deform under the influence of gravity over time.
4. Another disadvantage is that a straight edge is very difficult in the process of cutting Marmoleum.But even with this drawback learned to cope by cutting the sheets just outside the walls and baseboards masking edge.

classes of material and release form

Marmoleum presented commercially in several forms, so that the buyer can choose the most convenient option:

1. Marmoleum rolls is simple to install and allows you to lay a floor covering in a short time.Standard roll of material has a width of 2 m, and its thickness is different and depends on the class Marmoleum.
2. Marmoleum in the form of tiles sold in multiple sizes:. 50x50 cm and 30x30 cm Unlike the web material of the tiles can be laid out on the floor of a pattern that allows us to give the floor a unique look.
3. Marmoleum panels have a size 90h30 cm. They are easy to install thanks to a special locking system.Moreover, such locks provide installation by adhesive material.

Considering marmoleum in terms of durability and quality, can be divided into 3 main classes of material:

1. 21-23 class is a general-purpose coating.Such marmoleum has a relatively thin top layer, whose thickness does not exceed 2 mm.However, it is this class is most often used in the decoration of houses and apartments.Firstly, such a marmoleum is somewhat cheaper materials of a higher class, and secondly, the coating durability is good enough in order to use it in the rooms of a residential destination.
2. Marmoleum 31-33 class is most often used in industrial applications where there is a large flow of people, but where there are constant static load on the floor.The thickness of the upper layer in such material is 2.5 mm, similar coating easily withstand a lot of weight, but variable loads is not too stable.
3. Material 41-43 class is considered to be the most durable and wear-resistant.Its upper layer has a thickness of 3 mm.Such marmoleum can withstand variable loads, such as large flow of people.Thanks to these qualities, marmoleum this class is used in public premises, where it is often crowded.

Select the appropriate type of material should be, above all, for reasons of its destination, rather than relying on price and durability.For example, the most expensive marmoleum 41-43 class will last for many years if they decorate the shopping center floor.But if you lay it in the workplace, from the static loads it deforms faster than cheaper marmoleum Class 31-33.For a house or a flat is quite suitable coating class 21-23, the strength of which would be enough for a long sex life, and buy the most expensive marmoleum in this case does not make sense.

Marmoleum Floor Finish

most long-lived marmoleum service will have to if you operate it in a suitable environment.These conditions mean that the ambient temperature should be at least + 18 ° C, while humidity should not exceed 60%.It is not recommended to lay marmoleum in summer kitchens, on balconies, open porches, loggias, in the gazebo, etc.The best way is to use a floor covering in bedrooms, halls, hallways, living rooms, children's rooms, offices.On peculiarities of laying Marmoleum will be discussed later.

Preparing the working surface

Before purchasing flooring be sure to properly inspect the material for defects.After marmoleum be bought, it has to be for a few days left in the room where it will be used.Keep the cover should be on a flat surface.

Before laying Marmoleum room wall must be plastered and doors and windows - installed.It is desirable that the working surface is a more solid and sufficiently flat as possible.In the case where the floor is too curve, it is necessary to align the by performing dry screed or using self-leveling floor.In addition, before installing Marmoleum base should be dry, with humidity levels of less than 2%.Damp-proof floor is possible by means of a polyethylene film of 0.2 mm thickness.Portions of the film should be laid overlap by about 20 cm, and the edges of the material necessary to get to the wall at least 5 cm. To create additional floor thermal and acoustic insulation, it is advisable to cover it with polyethylene foam thickness of approximately 2 mm and a density of 30 kg / m³.

process of laying

Marmoleum Marmoleum roll assembly technology is very similar to the technology of work with ordinary linoleum.In the process of laying it is important to bear in mind the fragility of the material and not to bend it too much, to avoid cracking.

to cover Marmoleum flooring, you first need to stock up on these tools and materials:

• pencil for road marking;
• hammer;
• tape;
• hacksaw or electric jigsaw;
• wooden bars;
• wedges thickness of about 1-1.5 cm.

If you use marmoleum in the plates, it is necessary to pre-determine the location of the picture.It is advisable to immediately depict schematically how elements will be located on the surface of the material.In this figure should identify thresholds, different projections of the walls, niches, location of pipes, etc.

Marmoleum installation process can be described in stages:

1. First you need to determine the amount of material required.Calculate how many whole tiles or panels can be accommodated on the width of the room.Then calculate the number of rows along the length of the room.Do not forget that on the perimeter of the floor will need to make a slight gap, equal to 15-30 mm.This gap will cover later baseboards and become invisible, but in the case of temperature changes or plastic deformation marmoleum will have headroom for expansion.In the absence of such a reserve flooring can vspuchilis.Align the necessary clearance can be prepared in advance with the help of wedges.
2. Marmoleum first panel should be laid ridge to the wall.All other elements are interconnected to the ends until the series ends.Fit panel conveniently with a hammer.So as not to damage the material, you must first attach to it a piece of wood, and then tap the bar with a hammer, adjusting the position of the workpiece.
3. beginning of the second row is made of cutting panels or tiles of the previous row.This fragment was inserted into the tenon groove of the first row of items, and the lock is not latched to the end, and the fragment is set obliquely.To comply with the slope, again using sticks of wood.In this way, all the parts are interconnected ends until the number is complete.Once the panel will be performed by a number of stacked, pieces of wood was removed and snapped the elements of the first and second rows.
4. Similarly perform the rest of the floor finish.If
5. became less than 1 cm, the position of Marmoleum should be adjusted during operation of the gap between the wall and finishing materials.
6. If when laying the last row of boards Marmoleum not fit into it completely, too much can be cut jigsaw.
7. In those places where the floor pipe laid between them, and coating should also leave small gaps.When the floor is ready, these places will be special mask overlays.
8. When installing skirting their fixed only on the surface of the wall, but not on Marmoleum.Such a coating should have some mobility.In
9. if Marmoleum parts during mounting slightly damaged, defective place can be repaired using a suitable compound hue.

Marmoleum, Photo:

Marmoleum.Video